Malaysia: 33 Feared Dead in Genting Highlands Ravine Bus Plunge

More than 30 people are feared dead after their bus plunged off the road and into a deep ravine in Malaysia.

The bus fell more than 60 meters (200ft) into the gorge as it was traveling downhill in the resort area of Genting Highlands, central Malaysia.

Local authorities said that 49 passengers were on board. Rescuers at the scene pulled 16 survivors out of the wreckage.

Authorities were trying to recover the bodies of the remaining passengers trapped inside the vehicle. Azizan Ismail of the Kuala Lumpur Fire and Rescue Department said they were all believed to be dead. The driver was believed to be among them.

The bus was carrying mostly Malaysians and several tourists believed to be from the Middle East, Azizan said.

The incident occurred a few kilometres form the famous Taoist temple of Chin Swee Caves, one of the numerous tourist sites that attract thousands of people to the area every week. Genting Highlands is also home to Malaysia's only legal casino.

The cause of the accident is not known. The bus was coming down from Genting Highlands and heading towards Kuala Lumpur.